Fabregas pledges Arsenal loyalty

Cesc Fabregas insists he is staying at Arsenal and has rejected claims he is line for a return to Spain.

The Gunners skipper has been linked with a move to former club Barcelona, where he was a youth team player, and with Spanish rivals Real Madrid.

But Fabregas, 22, said: "For anyone who is unclear or may have misunderstood what my position is, let me make myself absolutely crystal clear.

"My future is at this great club. I am wholeheartedly committed to Arsenal."

The midfielder was quoted in reports on Thursday berating his team-mates' "impotence" in their attempts to win silverware.

Comparing his situation to that of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is poised to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid, Fabregas was reported to have said: "Cristiano said he's leaving Manchester United because he had nothing else to win. For me right now it is the exact opposite, seeing the impotence."

But the Spaniard told Arsenal's website: "I'm not sure how many times I need to talk directly about my commitment to Arsenal as I continue to say the same thing over and over again, but it appears that every time I have spoken to the Spanish media recently, my words have bounced back to England, leaving question marks about my future."

Fabregas, whose Arsenal contract expires in 2014, added: "It is a fact that we have not won a trophy for four years and yes, I am angry about that, but that anger stems from the deep deep desire I have to win things with Arsenal.

"I care about this club and believe in this team. I am proud to captain this team and proud to wear the shirt. It really upsets me when people express my thoughts otherwise.

"The spirit in this squad is fantastic and we have the ability and mentality to compete on all fronts for silverware. Make no mistake, we are focused and determined to show that we are capable of achieving great things together."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made Fabregas his team captain last November after William Gallas was stripped of the role.

Fabregas spent the best part of four months on the sidelines in the middle of last season following a knee problem.

He also became embroiled in a row with members of Hull's coaching staff who alleged he spat at them following an FA Cup tie in March.

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